Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995)

Taglines: Protect. Love. Honor. Avenge.

Jimmy the Saint’s business is videotaping the terminally-ill, so that they will be around to give ‘Afterlife Advice’ to their survivors. He hasn’t been doing too well lately and has had to turn to loan-sharks to accomodate his failing business, as well as his expensive personal tastes.

When an evil gangster-overlord buys up his note and demands a favor of Jimmy, in exchange for the interest that he can’t afford, Jimmy capitulates. Jimmy is to scare someone for the gangster-overlord–really rough them up. Without giving too much away (spoiler), the scene goes down badly and Jimmy and his crew all end up with contracts on their heads for their trouble.

Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead is a 1995 American neo-noir crime film directed by Gary Fleder from a screenplay written by Scott Rosenberg. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Andy García, Christopher Lloyd, Treat Williams, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Fairuza Balk, and Gabrielle Anwar.

The film’s title comes from a Warren Zevon song of the same name, recorded on his 1991 album Mr. Bad Example, which he allowed under the condition that the song be played during the end credits. The lead character’s name, “Jimmy the Saint,” comes from the Bruce Springsteen song “Lost in the Flood” from the album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. It is referred to by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum as one of several of Pulp Fiction’s clones. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival.